A hammertoe occurs when the joint of a toe is permanently bent, crossed, or pointing at an odd angle. This condition usually occurs after toes have been scrunched up too long, causing the joints to become rigid. Usually the entire foot is affected, as a hammertoe commonly occurs after wearing ill-fitting or narrow shoes for too long. Symptoms and Different Types A hammertoe can occur on any toe, but usually not the big toe. It usually starts with a corn, which can form on the top or tip of the affected toe. There are two different types: flexible and rigid. A

Ankle injuries of any kind can be extremely painful, and often come with a lot of swelling and/or bruising. So what are the signs that the ankle might be fractured and not just a sprain? A fracture is any chip, crack or break in the ankle bone. An ankle sprain will lack the break or chip to the bone and will be characterized by injury to the tendons or ligaments. The following symptoms may indicate an ankle fracture that should be examined by a medical professional with a referral for possible treatment: Pain Swelling Bruising Deformities of the bones around

At one time, policemen patrolled their neighborhoods on foot, spending hour after hour on their feet. Over time, the overuse led to heel pain that doctors dubbed policeman’s foot syndrome. Its medical name is plantar fasciitis, which is a painful inflammation of the tissue at the base of the heel where the plantar fascia attaches to the heel. The plantar fascia is a band of tissue that originates at the heel and connects to the toes. Fat tissue sits between it and the base of the foot to cushion the heel from the impact made by walking and standing. Symptoms

Many people have bunions, which are deformities of the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint that is located at the base of the big toe. A bunion will develop when the first metatarsal bone of the foot turns outward, and the big toe ends up turning inward. The majority of shoes do not accommodate this protrusion and end up putting pressure on the joint. The bursa, which is the fluid-filled sac that cushions the joint, ends up getting inflamed, making the entire joint painful and stiff. At this point, many people seek surgery. However, there are a few things that you can do

Many people suffer from ankle instability. These issues can arise for a variety of reasons, which are far less important than finding effective treatments for ankle instability conditions. There are primarily two different approaches used in treating ankle instability issues -- strength training or surgery. Strength and Conditioning Approach Due to obvious reasons, utilizing the benefits of strength and coordination exercises is the most preferred method. This approach can serve several uses. Incorporating strength conditioning into a regular workout routine can be used as a preventative measure. After an injury has occurred, this type of treatment can be used to

Treating growths and lesions can become more troublesome if you are diabetic. The most important thing is not to ignore a problem. The sooner a bunion is treated, the better it is. A bunion is a bump made of a bony material that appears on the big toe. This can be painful especially when rubbed by shoes or socks. Physical activity and sports may become impossible if a bunion is allowed to fester too much. The good news is that there are treatment options that are approachable and offer relief. Swelling and an inflamed appearance in the joint of the

Injuries are a fact of life if you’re a runner. Before long, you’ll feel that twinge of pain that lands you on the couch with a bag of ice in hand. As a runner, there is a lot you can do to prevent such foot and ankle injuries from occurring. Though getting injured is, in the long run, unavoidable, making physical therapy a part of your regular training routine is sure to make it happen less frequently. Here are a few of the best physical therapy exercises to prevent running injuries. Build Strength  Your best protection from running injuries is

Joint injuries are fairly common, and ankle injuries are one of the most common joint-related issues you can suffer. If you're worried that you've fractured your ankle, here are the signs to look for. Keep in mind that, though you can check for this symptoms, it's not possible to diagnose an ankle fracture without an X-ray. If you think it may be broken, it's time to see your doctor. Symptoms of a Broken Ankle Pain. The pain may be moderate to severe, and it's not always localized at the fracture. You may also experience pain throughout the foot area or

Plantar fasciitis is a condition in which the plantar fascia, the band that connects your heel with your toes, becomes inflamed and painful. It’s one of the most common foot disorders and is often seen in long-distance runners. Plantar fasciitis inflammation causes a sharp, stabbing pain in the bottom of the foot, usually near the heel. Who Is At Risk? Plantar fasciitis is sometimes called “policeman’s foot,” dating from a time when foot patrols were common and many police officers suffered from foot and heel pain as a result. Plantar fasciitis occurs when tiny tears develop in the fascia due